IBM® ATS zEnterprise™ System

High Availability Designs for the zEnterprise System:

“Connecting the External Network to the IEDN at the TOR:

Avoiding the BIG Mistake”

Authors:
Gwen Dente, IBM Advanced Technical Support, Gaithersburg, MD (USA)
Friedrich Michael Welter, IBM STG Systems Software Development, Boeblingen, Germany

1 © 2013 IBM Corporation

IBM® ATS zEnterprise™ System

Summary

ƒ This document is a complete replacement of the previous versions.

ƒ Customer experience with the zBX has led IBM to depart from its original requirements for Layer-3 connectivity between the
external data network and the IEDN TORs of the zBX. Test cases show that IBM can support a wider set of connectivity
alternatives than those that were originally recommended. As long as a customer follows a minimum set of rules for
connectivity to the zBX, the attachment to the external ports of the zBX can be implemented with either Layer-3 or Layer-2
definitions:
– Loop detection and elimination protocols that require the use of IEEE standard Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) packets to detect and
eliminate switching loops are not permitted on the links between customer networking equipment and the zBX TOR switches. (ie, STP, RSTP,
MSTP, etc... are not permitted.)
– Loop detection and elimination protocols that do not rely on IEEE standard BPDU packets, (such as PVST+, SLPP) are permitted.
– The allowable IEDN VLAN range is limited to VLANs 10-1030.

ƒ Pay attention to the details provided in the paragraph above:

– The Layer 3 ROUTED connection continues to be supported when connecting to the external ports of the zBX.
– The Layer 2 SWITCHED connection can be supported as long as switch protocols are avoided that rely on the exchange of BPDUs between
external switches and the Top-of-Rack switches.

ƒ And so,WHAT IS THE BIG MISTAKE that you must avoid when connecting the external network to the externally facing
ports of the zBX in order to reach the virtual servers in the IEDN?
– YOUR CONNECTIONS TO THE EXTERNAL PORTS OF THE zBX MUST NOT EXPLOIT IEEE standard BPDUs such as STP, RSTP, MSTP
and cannot assign VLAN IDs outside of the specified range.

ƒ For more detail and guidance, consult the IBM Redpaper entitled “IBM zEnterprise BladeCenter Extension: Network
Connectivity Options” at http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpieces/abstracts/redp5036.html?Open

ƒ For other assistance,

– Please work with your IBM representative, who may open a TechXpress request to consult with the IBM Advanced Technical Support
zEnterprise Communications Server Networking Team:
•http://techsales4.austin.ibm.com/tsna/techxpress.nsf/request.html

2 © 2013 IBM Corporation

IBM® ATS zEnterprise™ System

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3 © 2011
2013 IBM Corporation
IBM® ATS zEnterprise™ System

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4 © 2011
2013 IBM Corporation